System and method for enabling multiple-state avatars

ABSTRACT

A method of rendering an electronic graphical representation of a user of a computerized system includes providing a plurality of states for the electronic graphical representation including first and second differing states, monitoring a measurable quantity to provide a monitored quantity, and changing a state of the graphical representation from the first state to the second state based upon the monitored quantity. The graphical representation is an avatar and the method includes defining a receptor point associated with the avatar and associating an object with the receptor point. The receptor point is located on the avatar. The plurality of states includes a non-hybrid state. The plurality of states includes a hybrid state. The hybrid state is a static image hybrid state and a video hybrid state. The video hybrid state is a live video hybrid state and a pre-recorded video hybrid state.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates generally to computer graphics and moreparticularly to the modification of computer graphics.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

An avatar is a graphical element selected by a user of a system thatother users can see and which can represent the user. Avatars arefrequently used in virtual universes, which are computer-based simulatedenvironments. An avatar often takes the form of a cartoon-like human butmay be any other graphical representation. The avatar may be a staticimage or a computer-generated animation. Many virtual universes arerepresented using three dimensional graphics and landscapes, and may bepopulated by many thousands of users, known as residents. Each residentcan have one or more avatars. Residents of virtual universes cantraverse and inhabit the virtual universes, and interact with oneanother through the use of avatars. Other terms for virtual universesinclude virtual worlds, metaverses, 3D internet, virtual realities,massively multiplayer online games and virtual realms.

Users or residents of virtual universes often interact with each otherthrough their avatars using known chat-room technology. For example, inorder to mimic the behavior of real life human interactions, when anavatar speaks a text window can appear on a user interface (UI) of theother users whose avatars are within hearing range of the speakingavatar. The hearing range may vary based upon whether an avatar speaksin a normal voice, a raised voice or a whisper. Audio is also sometimesused to convey speech.

Often, virtual universes resemble the real world, such as in terms ofphysical laws, landscapes, houses and other buildings. Example virtualuniverses can include: Second Life, Entropia Universe, The Sims Online,There, Red Light Center and several massively multiplayer online gamessuch as EverQuest, Ultima Online, Lineage or World of Warcraft.

Avatars have been used in conjunction with the transmission of animatedvideo messaging. One example of such animated video messaging isassociated with Logitech Orbit webcams and Logitech Video Effectstechnology. An exemplary use of the Logitech technology is disclosed at<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7Gn2TyEyHw>. This animated videomessaging allows the user to convey animated representations of head andfacial movements through an avatar.

Avatars as known in the prior art suffer from limitations in theirability to convey facial expression or other body language. Avatarsdisplay gross motions and gestures, and provide rough featurecharacterization. These graphical feature simplifications andlimitations are due partly to the need for limiting the communicationbandwidth between the server and the clients, and partly due to the needfor maintaining a manageable rendering cost of the avatar at the clientcomputing devices. As a result, users interacting through the use ofprior art avatars can lose cues typically present in interpersonalcommunications. Such cues are useful for conveying and understandingemotions.

SUMMARY

A method of rendering an electronic graphical representation of a userof a computerized system includes providing a plurality of states forthe electronic graphical representation including first and seconddiffering states, monitoring a measurable quantity to provide amonitored quantity, and changing a state of the graphical representationfrom the first state to the second state based upon the monitoredquantity. The graphical representation is an avatar and the methodincludes defining a receptor point associated with the avatar andassociating an object with the receptor point. The receptor point islocated on the avatar. The plurality of states includes a non-hybridstate. The plurality of states includes a hybrid state. The hybrid stateincludes a static image hybrid state and a video hybrid state. The videohybrid state includes a live video hybrid state and a pre-recorded videohybrid state.

The measurable quantity includes a quantity representative of a movementof a user including movement of a human facial feature. The measurablequantity includes a quantity representative of a movement of a humanhand. The changing of the state of the avatar includes displaying thechange to a limited subset of other users of the computerized system.The changing of the state of the avatar is based upon networkcommunication capabilities. The changing of the state of the avatar isbased upon measured network communication performance. The changing ofthe state of the avatar is based upon user computer processingcapabilities. The changing of the state of the avatar is based uponmeasured system computer processing performance.

The changing of the state of the avatar is limited to a subset ofpermitted states in accordance with a user preference. The changing ofthe resolution of the avatar is limited to a subset of permitted statesin accordance with the user preference. The limiting of the changing ofthe state of the avatar to a subset of permitted states is performed inaccordance with a service contract. The limiting of the changes ofresolution of the avatar to a subset of permitted states is performed inaccordance with a service contract.

Furthermore, the subject invention is directed to a system for enablingmultiple-state hybrid avatars that may be adaptively rendered astraditional avatars, portions of which are merged with a video feed. Thevideo feed may, for example, be a video of the face of a real personsuperimposed on the face of an avatar. A switch between a traditionalmode and a video mode is performed automatically according to severalcriteria. The video of an actual face provides facial and other cues toimprove communication compared with those avatars known in the priorart.

Through various embodiments of the subject invention, virtual universeusers are presented with the typical visual cues (e.g., posture, subtlefacial expressions and hand gestures) that are useful in face-to-facecommunication. Virtual universe users can benefit from communicatingthese life-like cues and expressions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a depiction of a standard avatar as known in the prior art.

FIG. 2 is a depiction of an embodiment of one example of amultiple-state avatar.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart representing system steps for practicing anembodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown an avatar 20 as known in theprior art. The prior art avatar 20 may be displayed as a static image, adigital animation or in any other manner known to those skilled in theart. All features of the prior art avatar 20, including for example theface 24 or arms 25, are limited to expressions capable of being renderedas a static image or graphical animation.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an embodiment of the disclosed system method iscapable of rendering a multiple-state avatar 22. The multiple-stateavatar 22 is a hybrid avatar that can have any number of multiple-stateavatar receptor points 26 a-n which may be located on any areas of themultiple-state avatar 22. In the embodiment of the multiple-state avatar22 shown, multiple-state avatar receptor points 26 a-n, sometimesreferred to more conveniently as receptor points 26 a-n, can be locatedon the face 24, arms 25 or hands 29, or any other area of the body whilethe prior art avatar 20 does not have such receptor points 26 a-n on itsface 24, arms 25 or hands 29. While the avatars 20, 22 shown resemble ahuman, avatars rendered by the method disclosed herein may take any formpermitted by the virtual universe in which they reside.

As also shown in FIG. 2, embodiments of the present invention caninclude a system for enabling multiple-state avatars 22 that may berendered adaptively as traditional avatars, portions of which can bemerged with a video feed. The receptor points 26 a-n of themultiple-state avatars 22 can thus be specialized regions for receivingimages or other objects. The receptor points 26 a-n can be locateddirectly on, adjacent to, in the vicinity of, or in any other wayassociated with the multiple-state avatar 22. The receptor points 26 a-nand the triggering events may be designated by users, by the virtualuniverse in which the multiple-state avatar 22 is used, or by a thirdparty. While the face 24 of the multiple-state avatar 22 can be acommonly used receptor point 26 a-n, any other regions of themultiple-state avatar 22 may be used as a receptor point 26 a-n. Use ofmultiple regions, whether simultaneously or in sequence, can thereby addrealism to the communication represented by the multiple-state avatar22.

In one embodiment of the invention, the receptor points 26 a-n of amultiple-state avatar 22 may be associated with a static image, a livevideo, a pre-recorded video or any other kind of object. A rendering ofa multiple-state avatar 22 having no objects associated with any of itsreceptor points 26 a-n can be referred to as a rendering of a non-hybridstate avatar. A rendering of a multiple-state avatar 22 having an objectassociated with one or more receptor points 26 a-n can be understood tobe a rendering of a hybrid state avatar.

Furthermore, many types of hybrid state avatars are possible. Forexample, the state of a hybrid state avatar having a static imageassociated with one or more of its receptor points 26 a-n can beunderstood to be a static image hybrid state. As a further example, thestate of a hybrid state avatar having a live video associated with oneor more receptor points 26 a-n can be understood to be a live videohybrid state. The state of a hybrid state avatar having a pre-recordedvideo associated with one or more receptor points 26 a-n can beunderstood to be a pre-recorded video hybrid state, and so on for anyother kind of object associated with a receptor point 26 a-n of amultiple-state avatar 22. Both the live video hybrid state and thepre-recorded video hybrid state can sometimes be referred to as videohybrid states for convenience.

A multiple-state avatar 22 can have different kinds of objects, forexample a static image and a live or pre-recorded video, associated withdifferent receptor points 26 a-n. Even though an object can beassociated with a multiple-state avatar 22 in the foregoing manner, inan alternate embodiment it can be rendered for display in the vicinityof the multiple-state avatar 22, rather than on the multiple-stateavatar 22, or in any other location. Furthermore, objects can move fromone receptor point 26 a-n to another, or from the multiple-state avatar22 to the vicinity of the multiple-state avatar 22, and back dependingon any predetermined triggers.

The live video or pre-recorded video associated with a multiple-stateavatar 22 can be accompanied by audio or visual effects when it istriggered and displayed. The replacing video may be a video of an actualperson and can correspond to the part of the multiple-state avatar 22being replaced. For example, in a multiple-state avatar 22 having areceptor point 26 a-n on its face 24, a substituted or superimposedvideo element of the multiple-state avatar 22 may be a live video or arecorded video of the face of the user controlling the multiple-stateavatar 22, or any other object.

In another example, arm 25 or hand 29 movements of the multiple-stateavatar 22 may be replaced by video images of the user's arms or hands.Alternatively, to reduce network bandwidth use, several static snapshotsor other representations of a real person's face or other feature, orother objects, may be saved in a database or on a file system anddisplayed on the multiple-state avatar 22 at an appropriate receptorpoint 26 a-n. For example, a static image of a smiling face and afrowning face of a user or other human or another object, may be storedand alternately superimposed upon a receptor point 26 a-n on the face 24of the multiple-state avatar 22 when triggered.

Multiple-state avatars 22 within the disclosed system can change statein response to any kind of triggers such as specified, measurableactions, events or parameters in the virtual universe or elsewhere. Themonitored events or parameters can be associated with a user of amultiple state avatar 22, some other avatars or other entities in avirtual universe or elsewhere.

State changes can include changes from a traditional graphical avatarsuch as the prior art avatar 20 to a hybrid multiple-state avatar 22(such as a live video multiple-state avatar 22), and changes back to atraditional graphical state. State changes in response to detectedtriggers can also include a change from a state where an image issuperimposed on one receptor point 26 a-n, to a state where the same ora different image is displayed on a different receptor point 26 a-n. Thesystem can monitor any measurable quantities to detect a trigger forchanging the state of an avatar receptor point 26 a-n.

The measurable quantities for triggering state changes in themultiple-state avatar 22 can include, but are not limited to, physicalmovements by a human user controlling the multiple-state avatar 22, ormovements by any other person. Additionally, the measurable quantitiesused for triggering the state changes can include, but are not limitedto, movement of any physical object, the actuation of a monitoreddevice, the occurrence on any event, for example the occurrence of asound or the appearance of light, communication network functioning,user computer functioning, or the passage of time. Prior to the measuredquantities satisfying the specified criteria, the multiple-state avatar22 may be displayed using any standard virtual universe renderingmethods. When a measured quantity or quantities meet the specifiedcriteria or requirements the system can initiate a state change.Additionally, the system can initiate a reverse state change or otherstate change when a measured quantity or quantities no longer satisfiesthe specified criteria. In a preferred embodiment the quantities and thethresholds of the quantities may be configurable. By way of example, thesystem may be configured to activate state changes based upon a measuredvirtual universe distance between two or more virtual universemultiple-state avatars 22. The system may monitor that distance andcause a state change in one or more of the multiple-state avatars 22when the distance falls below a configured threshold or meets some otherconfigurable criteria. The threshold distance can then be modified asdesired. Alternate embodiments of the system may allow a virtualuniverse, a user or a third party to specify and change the configurablevalues.

The use of multiple-state avatars such as the multiple-state avatar 22allows users of a virtual universe to experience and interact with otherusers of the virtual universe in a more life-like manner. Furtherincreasing the life-like quality of the experience, the disclosed systemmay allow a state change of a multiple-state avatar 22 to be viewed byone or more subsets of virtual universe users, and not allow it to beviewed by other subsets of virtual universe users. Virtual universeusers outside of a viewing subset or subsets can thus be unable toobserve some or all of the state changes of the multiple-state avatar22.

A preferred embodiment of the invention can determine the subsets thatcan view the state change based upon any configurable criteria, such asdistance between the two multiple-state avatars 22. The configurablecriteria can be changed at any time according to any event or parameter.In this way, the multiple-state avatars 22 can recreate the real-lifeability of those in close proximity being able to see or hear a personor observe specific movements or expressions of the person, while thosefurther away may not see or hear the same person, movements orexpressions. Similarly, in a preferred embodiment, users whoseperspective would reveal only the back of an active multiple-stateavatar 22 may not see facial expressions or other changes on the frontor side of the multiple-state avatar 22. In the preferred embodiment,the system is configurable to define the criteria related to thisfunctionality.

Thus, further replicating real life experience, in an embodiment of thesystem in which multiple-state avatars 22 have many states, the systemmay calculate multiple user subsets and show different avatar states tothose different user subsets. For example, the system may be configuredto display an avatar's full video state, including facial expressionsand body movements to users within a specified distance. Simultaneously,users within (or outside if desired) a greater specified distance maysee only gross body movements, such as arm motions, but not facialexpressions.

In one preferred embodiment, the system can monitor a user's face, usingknown prior-art facial scanning software and known cameras associatedwith computing devices. If the monitored person in real life is smilingor manifesting some other predetermined cue, a video of the user or aphotograph of a stored smiling face can be superimposed on a facialreceptor point 26 a-n of the user's multiple-state avatar 22. A similarmethodology may be employed to monitor other features of the user oranother person or object, such as hands or arms, and movement of thosefeatures. If the amount of movement of a user, another person, or anobject exceeds a specified threshold, the system can trigger a statechange corresponding to the type and level of movement. Thedetermination of the expressions or movements of a person or an objectbeing monitored can be based upon any type of videographing techniquesknow to those skilled in the art.

In a preferred embodiment, the user may also cause state changes of amultiple-state avatar 22 using input devices such as a standard computerkeyboard or mouse. For example, in one embodiment of the system the usermay press a defined combination of keys such as Alt-S to cause themultiple-state avatar 22 to change state, for example to display a livevideo, a stored video, or a stored image associated with smiling or someother expression. The system may be configured to permit other keyboardshortcuts to be used to control state changes of the multiple-stateavatar 22. In alternate embodiments, any other input devices and methodsmay be used to cause state changes. Examples of such input devices whoseactuation can be monitored in order to provide a trigger for changing astate of a multiple-state avatar 22 may include, but are not limited to,joysticks, potentiometers, audio detector and audio commands, voicerecognition, temperature detectors, timers and any type of motiondetecting methods.

A preferred embodiment of the system and method of the present inventioncan further include a method to minimize the system's impact uponnetwork performance and to maintain operational speed via networkedcommunications. Virtual universe users typically interact in real-timeacross network connections. If a user connects to a virtual universe viaa slow or congested connection, or if the user connection undergoes aslow-down, real-time transmission of multimedia content to the user maybe compromised. In order to minimize any lag in content delivery, apreferred embodiment can detect the speed of the connection for a userto whom content is to be sent. Based upon the connection speed, thesystem may determine that transmission to a user with a slow connectionto the system should be modified. For example, the system may determinethat the user should receive transmission of content that requires lessbandwidth, and therefore less time to implement. The system may thussubstitute some type of content requiring less bandwidth. For example, auser who, according to system rules, should normally observe live videocorresponding to another avatar's hybrid state, may receive staticimages representing the other user's multiple-state avatar 22 instead,at least temporarily. Other examples of lower bandwidth content caninclude, but are not limited to, low frame-rate video and low-resolutionvideo rather than high-resolution video.

In one embodiment of the invention, the system may allow users to selectwhether the functionality of a multiple-state avatar 22 should bedisabled in order to minimize the time required to receive transmissionof virtual universe content. Similarly, one embodiment can permit avirtual universe administrator to configure a system to foregotransmission of hybrid content under certain circumstances. Such aconfiguration may be desirable to overcome unexpected network slow-downsor other network events. Individual users may also desire the reducedcontent when their personal computers lack the processing resourcesnecessary to keep up with data representing real-time communicationrequirement, such as the requirements for supporting the multiple-stateavatar 22.

In a preferred embodiment a user can cause the state changes of amultiple-state avatar 22 to continue in effect for a limited period oftime within a session, until the end of a session, or past the end of asession and into a future session. For example, a business transactionor a business meeting can be held in a virtual universe. A user may wantto trigger a state in which high definition details of a multiple-stateavatar 22 is available for a portion of a meeting or until the end of ameeting. This can improve mutual trust if low resolution avatars areconsidered a way of concealing emotions or expressions therebytriggering mistrust. Additionally, when a user gives a presentation in avirtual universe the user may want to trigger a high resolution mode forthe duration of the presentation regardless of any other triggers. Inanother example of a business meeting, the method and system of theinvention can normally maintain the highest level of resolution for allmultiple-state avatars 22, and not try to determine when to increase theavatar resolution. Rather, it can determine which avatar resolution canbe decreased in order to minimize the impact on the discussion.

In an alternate embodiment of the disclosed invention, the system maymaximize available bandwidth by distributing avatar information to usersvia peer-to-peer (P2P) systems. In this embodiment, users can downloadavatar content from one or more other system users. This direct downloadfrom other users may, but is not required to, occur in conjunction withdownloads from the system.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a flow chart 30 depicting methodsteps that can be performed to monitor specified quantities or othertriggers and change the state of a multiple-state avatar 22 based uponthe level of the monitored quantities or other triggers in a preferredembodiment. For example, a trigger can be used to cause the asking of aquestion. An answer to the question can cause a change to a highresolution display or some other change. In the flow chart 30, thevirtual universe administrator or the user can configure the system tomonitor any quantities or triggers relative to specified criteria asshown in block 32. The system monitors the values of those quantities asshown in block 34.

The system can continuously or periodically evaluate whether themonitored quantity or quantities meet specified criteria as shown indecision 36. If the measured quantities do not meet the specifiedcriteria as determined in decision 36, the system can continue tomonitor the specified quantities as shown in block 34. If the quantitiesmonitored in block 34 meet the specified criteria as determined indecision 36 the system can change the state of the multiple-state avatar22 to an alternate state as shown in block 38. The state change can be achange of any kind with respect to any receptor point 26 a-n of themultiple-state avatar 22. The state to which the multiple-state avatar22 is changed may be a static image hybrid state, a live video hybridstate, a pre-recorded video hybrid state or any other type of avatarstate as previously described.

Having caused the avatar state to change in block 38, the system cancontinue to monitor the specified quantities with relation to thespecified criteria as shown in block 40 of the flow chart 30. The systemcan periodically or continuously evaluate whether the measuredquantities satisfy the specified criteria as shown in decision 42. Ifthe measured quantities continue to meet the specified criteria, thesystem can continue to measure the specified quantities in block 40. Ifthe measured quantities no longer meet the specified criteria, thesystem can cause the multiple-state avatar 22 to return to a previousstate as shown in block 44. Furthermore, the multiple-state avatar 22can be caused to change to any other state at that point. The system canreturn to block 34 and continue monitoring the specified measurablequantities.

Thus, while the flow chart 30 can illustrate a process suitable forcontrolling a multiple-state avatar 22 having two states (e.g. hybridand not hybrid states or two different hybrid states), a person ofordinary skill in the art will understand that similar measurement,comparison and state change steps may be implemented for multiple-stateavatars 22 having any number of states. This will allow the system tochange the multiple-state avatar 22, for example, sequentially from astatic image state, to one type of hybrid state, to another type ofhybrid state.

In practice, by way of example, the disclosed system may be employed inan online virtual retail store. A user multiple-state avatar 22 mayapproach a service avatar (which can also be a multiple-state avatar 22)in the online store and engage in interaction related to a salestransaction. All or selected portions of the service multiple-stateavatar 22 may be include receptor points 26 a-n. As such, a morerealistic conversation can take place between the user and the servicepersonnel given the facial movements, gestures, lip movements, and otheraspects of their respective multiple-state avatars 22. The advantages ofthe system over traditional avatar technology may allow an onlinemerchant to derive greater financial return as a result of the morelife-like interaction.

In a further example, the subject system may be employed to facilitateonline conferencing. In this situation, the multiple-state avatar 22 ofthe person speaking may be switched to a hybrid state. This allows thespeaking user to communicate more effectively and realistically with theother users. Similarly, the multiple-state avatar 22 of the users notspeaking may also trigger the hybrid state, thereby allowing thespeaking user to view the real time reactions of participating usersthrough their respective multiple-state avatars 22. The system may alsotrigger a state change by analyzing where other multiple-state avatars22 are looking. A multiple-state avatar 22 receiving the focus ofanother user avatar can undergo a state change. As a result, the userexperience and the realism of the conference can be enhanced for allusers of the system.

In another example, the system may be used in an online virtual party.Any number of users can attend the party, each being represented by anavatar such as the multiple-state avatar 22. The system's methods fordetermining user subsets to observe avatar states may calculate anynumber of multiple user subsets. Each user subset can view differentavatar behavior relative to other multiple-state avatars 22. In such avirtual party, a user A may see the full live video state of themultiple-state avatar 22 of a user B with whom he is speaking directly.User A may see different states of other users at the party. Possibleexamples include user A observing the gross body movements of a multiplestate avatar C across the room, but not the facial expressions of avatarC. Further still, user A may observe only a traditional mode of a fourthavatar D, whose back is to A.

In any of the preceding examples, the system's methods for reducing theimpact on network performance may be employed if necessary to maintainthe appearance of real-time interaction between users when networkperformance is reduced or when users connect to the system via a slowinternet connection. The states of multiple-state avatars 22 can berestricted to a subset of the possible states either by servicecontracts, by user preferences, or in any other agreed upon way. Therestrictions can be imposed on a specific session or more generally.

While the invention has been described in detail and with reference tospecific examples thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the artthat various changes and modifications can be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope thereof.

1. A method for rendering an electronic graphical representation of auser of a computerized system, comprising: providing a plurality ofstates for said electronic graphical representation including first andsecond differing states; monitoring a measurable quantity to provide amonitored quantity; and changing a state of said graphicalrepresentation from said first state to said second state based uponsaid monitored quantity.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein saidgraphical representation is an avatar further comprising defining areceptor point associated with said avatar.
 3. The method of claim 2,further comprising associating an object with said receptor point. 4.The method of claim 2, wherein said receptor point is located on saidavatar.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein said plurality of statescomprises a non-hybrid state.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein saidplurality of states comprises a hybrid state.
 7. The method of claim 6,wherein said hybrid state comprises a static image hybrid state.
 8. Themethod of claim 6, wherein said hybrid state comprises a video hybridstate.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein said video hybrid statecomprises a live video hybrid state.
 10. The method of claim 8, whereinsaid video hybrid state comprises a pre-recorded video hybrid state. 11.The method of claim 1, wherein said measurable quantity comprises aquantity representative of a movement of said user.
 12. The method ofclaim 11, wherein said measurable quantity comprises a quantityrepresentative of a movement of a facial feature.
 13. The method ofclaim 11, wherein said measurable quantity comprises a quantityrepresentative of a movement of a hand.
 14. The method of claim 12,wherein said measurable quantity comprises a quantity representative ofan audio signal.
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein said system includesa plurality of users and said changing of said state further comprisesdisplaying said second state to a subset of users of said plurality ofusers.
 16. The method of claim 1, wherein said measurable quantitycomprises a quantity representative of a computer system capability. 17.The method of claim 1, in a computer network further comprising changingsaid state based upon a measurement of a communication networkperformance.
 18. The method of claim 1, further comprising changing saidstate of said avatar based upon a user computer processing capability.19. The method of claim 1, further comprising limiting said changing ofsaid state of said avatar to a subset of said plurality of states. 20.The method of claim 1, further comprising limiting said changing of saidstate to a subset of permitted states in accordance with a servicecontract.
 21. The method of claim 1, wherein said measurable quantitycomprises a quantity representative of an actuation of a monitoreddevice.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein said monitored devicecomprises a keyboard.
 23. The method of claim 21, wherein said monitoreddevice comprises a joy stick.
 24. The method of claim 21, wherein saidmonitored device comprises an audio detector.
 25. The method of claim 1,including a system session for performing said method during said systemsession further comprising maintaining said second state of saidgraphical representation for a portion of said system session.
 26. Themethod of claim 25, further comprising maintaining said second state ofsaid graphical representation for the entirety of said system session.27. The method of claim 2, further comprising distributing avatarinformation to said user by way of a peer-to-peer system.